Beyond the diploma: why emotional intelligence is the true currency of your career

Every day at ALEBA, we receive calls from individuals in need of not only help – but also of a listening ear. Some of them are in extremely challenging situations, and we are always grateful for the high emotional intelligence (EQ) of our team, which enables us to support them effectively. In our line of work, it's not just about qualifications and technical knowledge; well-developed soft skills et EQ are just as crucial.

Are you emotionally intelligent? You simply can understand and manage emotions. Think about it: can you regulate your feelings, easily smooth over arguments, or stay calm under pressure? Interestingly, research by expert Travis Bradberry shows that only 36% of people actually have this skill. That's a surprisingly low number, especially when we know how much EQ helps employees thrive and create a healthy environment around them.

What exactly is emotional intelligence?

The concept of emotional intelligence was first carefully put forward by psychologists John Mayer and Peter Salovey. They defined it as: "the ability to recognise, understand, and express one’s emotions, as well as the ability to recognise, understand, and respond to the emotions of others" (Mayer et al., 1990). This profound ability is often referred to as Emotional Quotient, or EQ. The term truly caught the public's imagination, becoming a global business buzzword, with the publication of Daniel Goleman's highly influential 1995 book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.

According to Goleman, EQ typically encompasses four core competencies:

1. Self-awareness: The capacity to understand your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and how they impact your thoughts and behaviour.
2. Self-management (or self-regulation): The ability to manage your emotions, control impulses, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain a positive outlook despite setbacks.
3. Social awareness: The skill of recognising and understanding the emotions of others, practising empathy, and discerning the dynamics within an organisation.
4. Relationship management: The aptitude for influencing, coaching, mentoring, and resolving conflict effectively, building strong and positive connections.

Why EQ is the unseen engine of career

The idea that emotional intelligence (EQ) is a more significant predictor of professional success than sheer intellect (IQ) or technical expertise is increasingly supported by contemporary research.

For instance, a recent meta-analysis involving over 50,000 participants (Pirsoul, T., Demoulin, S., & P. Delobbe, N., 2024: Emotional intelligence and career-related outcomes: A meta-analysis, ORBi, University of Liège) found a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and various career-related outcomes, including career adaptability, career decision-making self-efficacy, and even salary. This comprehensive review underscores EQ's role as a critical resource for navigating modern career challenges.

Employers are keenly aware of this. One striking study found that 59% of employers stated they would not hire someone who had a high IQ but a low EQ (Fouts, 2019). Why this stringent screening? Because high EQ individuals are not just pleasant to work with; they are fundamentally more effective and valuable assets to any organisation:

• EQ makes for better teammates: High-EQ individuals excel at building positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering harmony. Their ability to empathise and respond empathetically cultivates stronger connections, leading to more productive collaboration and a more positive workplace culture.
• EQ leads to more effective communication: Emotionally intelligent people are adept at understanding and conveying emotions, leading to clearer and more impactful communication. Consider delivering a high-stakes presentation. High-EQ individuals can effectively manage their own nerves, recognising their anxiety, identifying its source, and employing strategies like deep breathing or positive self-talk. This self-regulation translates into a more confident and persuasive delivery, directly influencing outcomes.
• EQ yields more resilient employees: Individuals with high emotional intelligence manage stress more effectively, recover from crises more quickly, and adapt more smoothly to changing circumstances. They can advocate for themselves and proactively seek support, making them invaluable in dynamic environments.
• EQ powers sound decision-making: Integrating emotional information with logical analysis leads to more balanced, ethical, and effective decisions, a hallmark of high-value employees.
• EQ builds stronger leaders: Leaders with high EQ inspire and motivate their teams, build trust, and guide more effectively. For instance, global leadership development firm DDI ranks empathy as the number one leadership skill, reporting that leaders who master it perform over 40 percent higher in coaching, engaging others, and decision-making. Emotionally intelligent leaders cultivate higher employee engagement and lower turnover, directly impacting the company's bottom line and cementing their own position as indispensable.
• EQ benefits both company and employee: Studies consistently show that emotionally intelligent individuals have greater job satisfaction, are more productive, and find more opportunities for advancement (Wong & Law, 2002). This creates a powerful feedback loop: enhanced performance leads to greater recognition, which in turn fuels career growth and, inevitably, higher salaries.

Despite its critical importance, the development of emotional intelligence is often overlooked. A significant barrier to EQ development is a pervasive lack of self-awareness. Research by Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, reveals a startling statistic: only 36% of people can accurately identify their emotions as they happen.

This limited emotional vocabulary can be a significant impediment to growth. While many might describe themselves as simply feeling “bad,” emotionally intelligent individuals can pinpoint whether they feel “irritable,” “frustrated,” “downtrodden,” or “anxious”. The more specific your word choice, the better insight you have into precisely how you are feeling, what caused it, and what appropriate action you should take. Without this fundamental self-awareness, practical self-management and genuine connection with others remain elusive, potentially capping your career and salary trajectory.

Download wheel of emotions in pdf here.

Cultivating your EQ is a pathway to a more prosperous career

The good news is that EQ is not a fixed trait; it's a dynamic skill set that can be strengthened through dedicated practice. By focusing on its four core components, you can significantly enhance your professional value:

1. Strengthen self-awareness:

• Practice emotional journaling, reflection, or meditation: Regularly pause to note your emotions, their triggers, and your typical reactions.
• Identify your “hot buttons”: Make a list of situations or individuals that consistently provoke strong emotional responses. How do you automatically react?
• Seek feedback: Ask trusted friends, family, or mentors for honest insights into your communication style and how your emotions impact others.

2. Master self-management (Emotional management):

• Recognise physical tells: Watch for early signs of stress or anger, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, or muscle tension.
• Name your emotions precisely: Instead of "I am angry," try "This is anger." This slight separation can help you gain perspective.
• Separate emotion from behaviour: Understand that a feeling is just a feeling; it doesn't dictate your necessary reaction.
• Practice regulation techniques: Use deep breathing, mindfulness, or visualisation to maintain calm in high-pressure situations.
• Take a “time-out”: If overwhelmed, step away briefly to regain composure before responding.

3. Enhance social awareness (empathy):

• Practice active listening: Give your full attention, make eye contact, and ask clarifying questions to truly understand others' perspectives.
• Tune into non-verbal cues: Pay attention to body language and tone to better recognise others' emotions.
• Validate emotions: Acknowledge and respect others' feelings, even if you don't agree with their reasoning. Try to see things from their unique viewpoint.
• Broaden your perspective: Read diverse fiction, non-fiction, and news to understand varied backgrounds and experiences.

4. Excel at relationship management:

• Proactively build connections: Schedule time to interact and genuinely get to know your team members.
• Express appreciation: Find opportunities to show gratitude and help colleagues.
• Build trust: Consistently follow through on commitments.
• Foster inclusion: Make strong efforts to ensure everyone feels valued and belongs.
• Communicate clearly and directly: Avoid gossip and address misunderstandings head-on to maintain healthy relationships.

The grateful edge: a surprisingly powerful EQ tool

A simple yet profound practice that significantly boosts your EQ and overall well-being is cultivating gratitude. Taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for isn’t merely the right thing to do; it profoundly impacts your physiology. Research by the University of California found that people who regularly work to cultivate an attitude of gratitude experience improved mood, energy, and physical well-being. This is significantly aided by gratitude's ability to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, in some cases by as much as 23 percent. Lower cortisol levels translate to reduced stress, enhanced resilience, and a more positive disposition – qualities that make you a more effective and appealing employee.

Emotional intelligence is not merely a “soft skill”; it is a foundational competency for sustained career success and, directly, for your earning potential. While your academic intelligence opens doors, your EQ is the master key that unlocks leadership opportunities, fuels productivity, fosters robust relationships, and enhances job satisfaction. By understanding and diligently cultivating your emotional intelligence, you not only improve your individual career trajectory but also contribute to creating fulfilling, meaningful work experiences for yourself and those around you, ultimately shaping you into a resilient, impactful, and highly compensated professional.

The ALEBA method is rooted in methodologies built upon the principles of high emotional intelligence. You will find that all our staff is very empathetic, which empowers them to provide high-quality, on-the-ground support to employees within companies.